Jul 26,2007 00:00 by
UPI SAN DIEGO -- A 56-year-old former San Diego respiratory therapist was sentenced to more than 45 years in prison for sexually abusing seriously ill children.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Kenneth So said Wayne Albert Bleyle, 56, would have to serve at least 85 percent of the 45-years, 8-month sentence before being eligible for parole, the San Diego Union Tribune reported Thursday.

Bleyle was arrested March 8 after a task force claimed he was trading child pornography online and photos were allegedly found in his home showing him abusing children.

He worked at Rady Children's Hospital in the convalescent center where prosecutors said Bleyle targeted seriously ill children because they unable to tell anyone what happened.

On June 12, Bleyle pleaded guilty to 13 charges including committing forcible lewd acts on five children in his care, and exhibiting a minor in pornography.

So also ordered Bleyle to pay restitution to the families, which will be determined at a later date, the newspaper said.